Samsonite Recalls Dual-Wattage Travel Converter Kits

About 20,000 Dual-Wattage Travel Converter Kits were recalled by Samsonite LLC, of Mansfield, Mass. The converter can overheat if a load in excess of 50 watts is applied to the converter while in the 50-watt setting. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers. Samsonite is aware of three converters overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported. The converters were sold at retail stores nationwide and at the Samsonite on-line store from January 2011 through December 2012 for approximately $35.

This recall involves the Samsonite Dual-Wattage Travel Converter Kits used to make standard U.S. and Canadian appliances usable abroad. The kit includes one black converter to change 220-volt AC electricity to 110-volt AC, two adapter plugs with round prongs, two with flat prongs and one grounded adapter plug with three flat prongs. The converter has a red switch to adjust the wattage of the appliance from 50 to 1600 watts. The words “Dual-Wattage Converter” and “Do Not Use 50W on Hair Dryer” appear on the front of the converter. The Samsonite logo appears on each piece in the set. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled travel converters and contact Samsonite to return the product for a full refund. Consumer Contact: Samsonite; toll-free at (800) 382-7259 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; at e-mail recall@samsonite.com or online at www.samsonite.com/recall. Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Samsonite-Recalls-Dual-Wattage-Travel-Converter-Kits.